Brittany Bowman, a dynamic drummer originally from Chicago, has rapidly ascended the music industry’s ranks with her electrifying performances alongside artists like Demi Lovato, Alexander Stewart, Meg Myers, and Royal & the Serpent.
Her journey began at age five, inspired by The Beatles, and by twenty-one, she relocated to Los Angeles. Brittany’s career highlights include a nerve-wracking yet exhilarating live debut with Demi Lovato on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and a surreal performance at Rock in Rio before 110,000 fans, opening for Justin Bieber.
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Beyond her onstage prowess, she emphasizes authenticity in her style, while adapting her drumming across genres in a way that maintains her unique rock-infused essence.
A fitness enthusiast and advocate for mental health, Brittany balances the demands of touring with personal well-being, continually honing her craft and inspiring audiences worldwide.
PLAYBOY: What’s the wildest “Is this really happening?” moment of your career?
Brittany Bowman: That’s a great question. Playing with Demi, I’ve gratefully been able to check off a lot my of bucket list items quickly. It’s hard to pick one because they all had a huge impact. The VMAs were amazing, but my first big moment was performing on Jimmy Fallon. It was my first gig with Demi, live on TV. It was definitely an intimidating moment, but so exhilarating. Another standout was playing Rock in Rio, performing for 110,000 people. Both were surreal and incredible milestones in my career.
PLAYBOY: After scrolling through your Instagram and seeing your stage presence, I’m curious—do you choose your outfits, or is there a stylist?
Brittany Bowman: For Demi’s shows, we have a stylist, but they want us to wear things that reflect our personal style. Most of what I wear is from my own wardrobe or pieces that companies have sent me. For big performances like the VMAs, there’s more stylist input, but day-to-day, it’s about what makes us feel comfortable and authentic.
PLAYBOY: You’ve toured with various artists, each with different styles. How do you adapt your drumming to fit each one?
Brittany Bowman: I’m a rock girl at heart, but I’ve played with pop, indie, and even country artists. Being well-rounded is crucial. I listen to a wide range of music, which helps me understand the nuances of each genre. It’s about knowing where to place yourself in the music, not overplaying, and staying true to your style. When someone hires me, it’s because they like my unique touch, so I balance adapting to the music while keeping my essence.
PLAYBOY: I saw Gojira live recently—they were incredible.
Brittany Bowman: Gojira is amazing. Mario is one of my favorite drummers, just mind-blowing. The metal community has so many talented drummers I admire, like Eloy Casagrande who plays in Slipknot now, and Ray Luzier from Korn. Even when playing pop, there’s always a bit of rock in my drumming. It’s part of who I am as a player.
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PLAYBOY: Demi is a great example of blending pop with heavier, edgier rock. “Skin of My Teeth” is such a powerful track, right?
Brittany Bowman: Yeah, that’s from her Holy F*** album.
PLAYBOY: I love that song. It’s got the edge and power I crave, so it’s in my metal playlist.
Brittany Bowman: You should check out “Bones” from that album. It’s one of those tracks we never played live, which is a bummer because it’s so good. The chorus is heavy, and it’s an absolute blast to play.
PLAYBOY: Oh we love recommendations! Now, let’s focus on you. Touring is a huge part of your life. What’s the first thing you pack?
Brittany Bowman: I’m meticulous with packing and it still can be overwhelming, even after all these years. Shoes are always a pain to pack for a long tour. As a drummer, I can’t wear heels on stage, but I want them for off days, etc. The first thing I pack is stage clothes. I use packing cubes to keep everything organized—stage clothes in one, off-day clothes in another. Then toiletries, and I always bring books for travel. My AirPods are a must too. Once, they broke mid-tour, and it was the worst.
PLAYBOY: Do you have specific shoes for drumming? I know some drummers are particular about their shoes.
Brittany Bowman: Absolutely. I usually drum in Converse or Vans because they’re flat and have good grip, perfect for pedal control. Lately, I’ve been trying Creepers, which have a bit of a platform. It’s a change, but I like them. It’s funny—no one sees your shoes, but it matters to me. I adjust my footwear based on the gig. For intense double kick sessions, I stick to my tried-and-true shoes. For simpler pop sets, I might experiment more. The average person may not realize, but shoe choice is surprisingly crucial for drumming.
PLAYBOY: Drumming is already a workout—I can’t imagine adding heavy shoes to that.
Brittany Bowman: Exactly! Some drummers even use ankle weights when practicing to make it feel easier without them. But generally, the less effort required, the better.
PLAYBOY: What’s something you see in movies or TV about musicians on tour that makes you laugh because it’s so inaccurate?
Brittany Bowman: That’s a great question! This isn’t necessarily an inaccurate example, but one movie that always sticks with me is School of Rock. It’s such a fun movie. I remember being ten years old and watching it and instantly getting inspired and motivated to pursue music. But in general, I hate it when there’s a scene in a movie or TV show where there’ll be a band playing somewhere and the visual hits they’re doing don’t even closely match up to the track you’re hearing.
PLAYBOY: I’ll look forward to your email when you think of more examples! Now for a deeper question—what’s the purpose of music for you?
Brittany Bowman: When I was younger, it was pure passion and fun. As I’ve grown, music has become a space where nothing else matters—politics, religion, none of it. It’s about joy and connection. As a musician, it’s incredible to create those moments for others, just like the ones that inspired me as a kid. It’s fulfilling to be part of something that brings people together and offers an escape.
Being on stage and seeing the crowd connect with the music brings me so much joy. Drumming alone makes me happy, but knowing others are finding joy in what I do completes the circle. Music is a way to connect with people and navigate through life’s emotions, whether it’s happiness, stress, or anger. Creating that connection is incredibly rewarding, and reflecting on my journey reminds me how fortunate I am to do this as a career.
PLAYBOY: I believe music helps rebuild the sense of community we’ve lost in modern society. It brings people together in such a beautiful way.
Brittany Bowman: Absolutely, I couldn’t agree more.
PLAYBOY: Aside from music, what’s something you’re currently obsessed with?
Brittany Bowman: I’m a fitness nerd and love working out and hiking. Mental health is also a big focus for me, especially on the road. Fitness helps both physically, as drumming is demanding, and mentally, as touring can be grueling. I enjoy self-help books and working on personal growth. Outside of that, I love hanging out with friends, my cats, going to shows, local coffee shops, and balancing work with downtime, which I’m still learning to do as a workaholic.
PLAYBOY: It’s a lifelong journey.
Brittany Bowman: Totally. Just a reminder to pursue what makes you happy, despite others’ opinions. There will always be challenges, so you might as well face them doing something you love. People will have opinions no matter what, so focus on what brings you joy.
Stay up to date with Brittany’s projects across her social media!
